Product Review: Science in Sport (SIS) Gel

These gels are SHIT.

200 km ? W - T - F ?

I used to love seeing 200 km click over on my cycling computer back in the day and nothing has changed (well it's actually a Garmin these days). This is the first 200 km ride I have knocked over and I coped with it surprisingly well (actually backed up with a solid 145 km the next day).

My Response to Daniel Meers' Article in The Gold Coast Bulletin

If you haven't read it already, here is the link:

Time to curb pedal power

I have a real sense of sympathy for our cycling sisters and brothers on the Gold Coast at the moment, after this provocative and inflammatory piece of journalistic tripe was published.

Let's imagine and pretend for one second that Mr Meers has some legitimate concerns and gripes about the cycling fraternity on the Gold Coast. By writing his article in the way he did, he has genuinely denied himself an opportunity to have his issues listened to in a respectful and productive way by the cycling community and all authorities who work to support cycling. Epic fail...

Here are some examples:

THE time has come to declare war on cyclists.

What about: I see examples of poor cycling behaviour and I believe it is time for someone to act.

Enough is enough. Motorists need to start manning up and being vocal about the issue.

What about: Motorists with genuine concerns need to contact the police.

Make some noise people, win the roads back before something really bad happens. And believe me, it will.

What about: If enough people with concerns about cyclists do something meaningful, like writing to cycling lobby groups or contact the local police, dialogue may start about cars and bikes sharing the road in a safe way.

So Mr Meers, all you have done is vilify yourself and create animosity, anger and a potentially violent situation on the roads. You should be genuinely ashamed that your actions, that potentially could have improved things on the road, have now put lives at risk. Nice work.

Base Miles and Big Gears

Before last season started I did absolutely no base training. At the time I had no idea I would end up racing so much and by the time I realized  it was all too late. I really felt the lack of miles in my legs as a result and I could also feel how badly I needed some strength endurance work. So, I am doing both now. Just getting some long, steady miles in at the moment, with some shorter strength endurance efforts on the hills. I will switch to 'proper' strength endurance work at the end of week 4 (two weeks away). It feels good to be starting the next season off 'correctly' and I think it is going to lead to a good, strong season, with plenty of results. Well here's hoping anyway ...

Race Report: Pan Pacific Masters Games

This was supposed to be my end of season 'climax'; a great way to end my first season back. In many ways it was, but it was also extremely frustrating and disappointing. I had been training very hard and was in a nice patch of form after a good taper period. I had been doing a lot of work on my new time trial bike and really felt I had a good result in my legs. 

We headed off (I took my beautiful little family with me) to the Gold Coast on Thursday morning. I had felt a little 'funny' on the local bunch ride that morning but didn't think anything of it. By the time we reached Toowoomba (one hour into the drive) I was at my father-in-law's house, laying in his shower with one hell of a stomach bug. I managed to drag myself out of the shower and Nadine (wife) drove the rest of the way to the Gold Coast. I slept twelve hours (with multiple overnight 'interruptions'), woke up for half an hour and then slept another three hours. I had absolutely no hope of making my 11.35 am time trial start. I was absolutely gutted at missing this. As I said earlier, I really think I had a result in me. 

Road Race: I decided to start the 96 km road race the next day, even though I was not feeling 100% and was not confident of even going the distance. It was 30-34 and 35-39 combined with about sixteen starters. I struggled with stomach cramps and other issues the whole race, but the torrential rain, wind and fast pace probably kept me distracted. The pace was on pretty much from the start and by half way a selection had been made and there were only three 35 - 39 riders left. Still not feeling the best, I hoped at this point I could  at least suffer along to a medal. Tom Collier (Pensar Hawk team mate and very strong Elite and 30-34 rider) absolutely put the hammer down in the cross wind at about 60 km. This was extremely hard but at the end of the flurry he was down the road with another 30-34 rider and I was in a group of four riders chasing. I was the only 35-39 rider left! This gave me two solid reasons not to participate in the chase. Firstly, I was the only rider left in my division  so as long as we didn't get caught, all I literally had to do was get to the finish to win. Secondly, I could not contribute to a chase with my team mate Tom in the winning 30-34 break. So I sat on the other three riders in my group, literally all the way to the finish line (photo of me actually showing this):

This was an unusual way to win a title, but sometimes that is how it goes. In the end I am pleased I suffered through Tom's earlier flurry, because even just sitting on the chase group  I could feel how unwell I was in the last lap as I was really struggling. Tom went on to win the 30-34 division so it was a great day out for the team:

Criterium:  It was 30-34 and 35-39 combined again with about fourteen starters. I really overdid it yesterday  and I paid for it today. The pace was red hot from the start and I didn't make the split of about seven in the first couple of laps. I kept chasing and in the end I caught two 35-39 riders who had been dropped out of that front group. Another rider caught us and we had four of us sprinting for the silver medal. I had absolutely zero left in the tank and took 3rd in the sprint for 4th overall. Interestingly, the three medals had all opted to not ride the road race, so you can imagine how fatigued my poor legs were compared to theirs.

So despite my huge disappointment at missing the time trial, I really can't be unhappy with the games given my health issues. A gold medal and a fourth, running on a half empty tank is all in all probably better than I could have hoped for.

Race Report: Bikeline Toowoomba Open (Be Better Psychology Criterium)

This was probably the race I am happiest with so far, in a strong field. Numbers were on the lean side. There were 18 combined Elite A and B riders in the program, but I think only 14 or 15 turned up. It was a cold and windy day which probably kept a few people at home. It was a tough field for me (with about a 50 - 50 split of Elite A and B riders, including Peter Thompson from Drapac Porsche Professional Cycling Team. Plenty of other Elite A riders from Brisbane as well. 

The first ten minutes I found ridiculously hard, but a handful of others got dropped so I can't have been going that bad. I'm actually surprised with how well I coped with that start. In the first lap we were doing 64 km/h and I gave the highest heart rate reading I have seen since I started racing again! At about 20 minutes the race 'settled' with a break of 3 away and 6 of us chasing. That is pretty much how it stayed until the end (the race was 55 minutes + 2 laps). I ended up coming 3rd in my group sprint to take 6th overall and 2nd in Elite B. I managed to beat some of the Elite A riders which I think is a very good sign for the near future.

My legs feel like they have been flogged with a hammer, my lungs (I think) are still hanging on a post on the circuit somewhere but I am very pleased with this outcome.

Race Report: Ipswich Open Time Trial

Yesterday, my dear readers, was a day to forget. I made a BIG mistake and luck didn't go my way either. Let me tell you the whole boring story.

The race was a 40 km individual time trial on a very tough hilly and windy course. I rode in Elite B and struggled to 9th place in 1:05:21.

I have been waiting on a new time trial frame (a very nice new Giant Composite). It arrived on Thursday and was built up on Friday. I only had a chance to do a measly 10 km on it before the race, which is obviously not enough, and to be honest, quite a stupid thing to do.  I fought with the bike all day (in terms of position) and just couldn't settle. I kept sliding off the front of the seat and by the end had cramping arms due to the new position. I should have raced on my old bike and built the new one up next week. Duh...

Another way to look at it would be that I shouldn't have raced at all. Why? I woke up feeling like shit and I knew I was getting sick. My heart rate was doing funny things in the race, which for me is normally indicative that all is not well. This was another reason I couldn't settle into any kind of decent rhythm.  I was supposed to race the Ipswich Open Road Race today, but have actually pulled out because I am not in 100 % health.

The other exciting thing that happened was that during the race, my SRAM gear changer fell apart in my hand. I managed to get some of the bits back on, and the others, well I just stuffed them into my skinsuit and hoped they wouldn't fall out. This was slightly distracting to say the least.

So there you have it. A shit day all around. I am very disappointed with my time and placing as I feel I have been time trialing strong lately and really thought I had a top 5 finish in me today.

Ah well. Time to recover and get back on the horse...

Race Report: Toowoomba Club Criterium

Well, after 24 attempts, it finally happened; I won a race. It was a combined A and B grade criterium (with 4 A graders and about 12 or so B graders). It was 40 minutes plus 2 laps on the full Glenvale circuit. A grade gave B grade a short head start and we had to reel them in. After we did that I attacked at 10 minutes and Matt Haswwell (good U/18 rider) from Team TLD came across to me. We quickly got about a 20 sec lead. Matt blew up at 20 minutes and I had to go it alone. I rode with all I had and ended up holding on by 1 min 5 sec at the finish. Feels very nice to win a bike race after all these years.

Race Report: Masters 2 (35 - 39 years) State Titles Time Trial

The course was a fairly tough 18 km out and back with some drags and hills. I rode with pretty much all I had, but I know I lost two much time on the hills. I averaged over 41 km/h (which I am happy with) to come 11th in 26 min 13 sec. A top 10 in this event was a goal from the start of the year and I couldn't have gotten much closer. 

Race Report: Toowoomba Club Race T.T.

Today was the Toowoomba Combined Club Time Trial at Wyreema. It was a 20 km course that was slightly undulating with a little tail wind on the way out. I had felt good all week and put in a 29 min 36 sec ride to take second place. The course was actually a tiny bit long on the 20 km (I had about 20.6 km). Combine that with the slopes coming back and I am pretty happy with my time. I actually didn't quite leave enough in the tank for the last 4 km, which was pretty hard. I will remedy that for sure next time I race on that course.

I actually thought today could have been my first win for the year, but Andrew Patten, recently crowned Silver Medalist at the Masters 40-44 World Championships came to race in preparation for the Queensland Titles Time Trial next week. He rode a 27 min 50 sec time to beat me. I believe the race record is held by Toowoomba local Darren Rolfe, who has done about 26 min 30 sec. That...is...fast!

Race Report: Masters 2 (35 - 39 years) State Titles

This was a hell of a hard race. About 35ish of us for 120 km. It was seven laps of a 17 km course. The field gradually whittled down lap after lap. With two laps to go there was a break of two up the road and fifteen of us left in the bunch. With 10 km to go the hammer went down again and I was seeing stars. The field started to split up over the three hills on the last lap and we all finished in dribs and drabs. I went over the line in 11th place. I would have loved to be able to say I was top ten in Queensland in my age division in my first year back racing, but I'm satisfied with how I went. I left nothing out there. It was the hardest race of the year for me and my legs feel like they have been bashed around with a hammer. Can't wait for next year...

I do have the State Titles Individual Time Trial in two weeks and I am hoping I will finish a bit higher in that event. 

Race Report: Charles Coin Memorial

I raced Elite B today instead of Masters B (I have a dual licence) and I doubt I will race Masters B again. The pace was definitely quicker, but I coped with it very well. Given I have been off the bike sick recently, I am especially pleased about how I went. We had about 36 starters and a Pensar Hawk team mate found himself off the front in a two man breakaway with about 25 km of the 108 km to go. I worked very hard chasing down attacks and generally trying to disrupt the chase. This was a success as the break stayed away and he won. I was totally shattered by the end but managed to get 5th in the bunch sprint for 7th overall. There was a lot positive to take out of this race today. I enjoyed the more positive racing very much, compared to the somewhat negative 'wait for a bunch sprint' approach you see so often in Masters B racing.

Timing is Everything

Well it's 13 days until the state titles road race and I am stuck inside with an apocalyptic dose of manflu! It's time to be positive:

• I will be ultrafresh and well rested.
• I have lost 2kg in three days.
• I have watched a heap of cycling videos online and am feeling very motivated.

Next Sunday is the Charles Coin Memorial race at Mulgowie, which will serve as an excellent lead up race for the state titles. I have actually elected to race Elite B instead of Masters B (I have a dual licence, one of the few advantages of being a crusty, old dude). The Elite B race is a bit longer (108 km vs 90 km) and it starts at 9 am (not 1 pm like the Masters B race). I just think it will serve my purposes a little better. Mark Brady (old friend and Queensland Masters A legend) tells me that Elite B is maybe only a little faster than Masters B anyway (and certainly nowhere near as fast as Masters A). Hopefully, health permitting, it should be a good race for me. 

Race Report: Cunningham Classic

The Cunningham always has been, and probably always will be, my favorite race. I finished 2nd and 4th there as a junior and 1st, 1st and 8th as an Elite A rider, many years ago. The course suits me well and I have always enjoyed the hard, heavy and windy conditions. 

I raced in the Gatton to Warwick, 96 km Masters B race, with 51 starters. The pace itself was quite comfortable. The KOM was a little tough near the top, but I still went over the climb in around 5th or 6th spot without a lot of effort. In the last 30 km or so, I started to race very aggressively, with many attempts to get off the front. Unfortunately, the cross winds which I used to love so much were just not there, which meant that it was hard to inflict much pain on the big group or get away in a small group due to that bunch splitting. At one stage I was in a promising two man breakaway that quickly got about 20 seconds, but was reeled in with about 3km to go. In the end, there were still 30 or so riders left for the finish and I came 7th. Disappointing for me, but in the end, I pretty much gave it everything I had. Such is life...

Race Report: Gold Coast Cats Criterium

Today was a good day! Raced the support criterium for a Gold Coast Club Teams series. It was A and B grade combined with about 35 starters. I stayed near the front and ended up in nearly every break that went down the road. There were some very good Elite A riders there, including guys who have dominated some of the State Road Series and the guy who won the Battle of the Border earlier in the year. Only twelve of us were there for the last few laps. A rider bolted at two to go, and I went after him on my own inside the last lap. I didn't get to him and got caught by two guys going like a train and then the sprint from what was left of the group caught me on the line. I came 6th. I am very, very happy with how this went. It was by far the strongest ride I have had and I feel very encouraged.

Race Report: Toowoomba Club Race

A small field of 9 took part in the local A grade club race at Goombungee yesterday. It was only 51km, which was three laps of a 17 km course. The course was fairly hard with three long hills, including one only a few kms from the end that actually had quite a bit of sting in it. It broke up on the last lap and the first two places came in on their own. I was in a group of three sprinting for 3rd and I came 4th. I sprinted pretty well again but the guy who beat me actually got the jump on us from about 800 m out and I just missed him on the line (see photo). It would seem that my sprint is starting to 'work' a little bit. It was short today, but hard, so overall I am happy with how it went.

Race Report: Avanti Handicap

Raced the 80 km Avanti Handicap at Lowood yesterday with about 220 other punters. I was very happy with my group / handicap (I felt very comfortable). I was in group of about 15 riders, chasing 20 minutes to the front and 17 minutes in front of the scratch group. Our group dwindled to 7 riders by 20 km, but we worked really well together (with just a little verbal encouragement / abuse from self). We ended up sprinting for 19th (I came 2nd in our group sprint and was 20th overall). We were actually only 22 seconds off 2nd place at the end and if you hadn't worked it out, we didn't get caught by anyone; which is always nice. Great news is that top 20 paid so I was in the coin! The second photo is actually my bunch finish. It was nice to have a strong sprint in this race as I have been finishing awfully up until now.

Race Report: Queen's Park Criterium

The Tour of Toowoomba (national series) has just finished and there was a support event criterium on around Queen's Park. The course was 2.4 km with a long drag up Margaret Street and it was very, very windy. I was in the Masters B / Elite C race with about 35 starters. It was surprisingly hard and there were only about 12 of us left for the final sprint. I came 6th. I had nothing left in the sprint (again) which is becoming a worrying trend. I'm nowhere near a 'pure' sprinter, but in hard finishes like the race today, I used to go very well (albeit a long time ago). This might be a fitness thing, or another gap in my training and racing...dunno. It is starting to give me the shits though.

Race Report: Toowoomba Criterium

I 'bit the bullet' today and had my first Toowoomba club race in A grade. It was a 40 minute + 2 lap criterium on the shorter Toowoomba circuit. There were 15 starters and I'm very pleased to report that I finished in 6th. The pace was a lot faster than B grade, but I rode strongly and never really felt like I was in big trouble. I didn't have a lot left in my legs for the final gallop but hopefully that will come in time.

Brisbane Training Camp

Had three days in Brisbane for work so thought I would make the most if it and get some good rides in:

Wed: 45 km, climbed the long side (2.5 km climb) of Mt Coot-tha twice. Not sure what gear I used to ride up Coot-tha in years ago, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't 39 x 21!

Thu AM: 65 km, met up with Michael Davis and three of his Rappida Vecchi team mates for a ride around the Mt Cotton circuit. This was a very hard and hilly ride and I only lasted 35 km with them. I wasn't the first one dropped though! These boys train hard!

Thu PM: 45 km, did two full loops of Mt Coot-tha (climbing the long side again). Funnily enough I climbed a lot better than I did yesterday.

Fri: 45km, did a river loop with my old friend from the Rockhampton cycling days, Jason Reed. Finished off with coffee and brekky at La Dolce Vita Cafe on park Road. 

Nice three days in all...

Race Report: Canelands Classic Handicap

Went to Childers for this race over the weekend. The 74 km course had to be changed to a slightly shorter (but harder) one at the last minute, due to the 140 mm of rain that fell over night. There were 42 starters and the front markers had 36 minutes head start from the scratch bunch. I was in the third last group to leave, 11 minutes in front of the scratchies. Scott Davis (who has just finished a long career as a pro with Team Astana) was in my group. Scott is an old mate so it was great to catch up with him. He's still as strong as an ox. Our group worked very well and we never looked like being caught by the two groups behind us. We caught everybody except four front markers who stayed away. I ended up in a big group of about 25 and finished 3rd in that group up a very hard uphill finish for 7th overall. This was by far the best I have felt in a race so far and am very pleased with how things went.

Race Report: Metropolitan Championships...and the humbling step back

Today, was my last race in Masters A (for now). I have already put an application in to go back to Masters B. I just can't get over the steep hills with the A grade guys. Flat = fine. Undulating = fine. Steep = out the back door like a shit-covered brick. I got popped out today on the second lap and never looked like getting back on. I know a lot of people felt I was biting off more than I could chew by going straight to A grade and I think they were right. Sure it's great to be exposed to the harder racing, but getting DNF next to my name on a regular basis isn't helping anyone.

I actually rode in today with Andrew Patten, who is the Australian Masters champion in a few events on the track (err, he had a mechanical, not a lung failure like me). We were talking about me just starting again and he looks at me holding his fingers an inch or two apart and says 'you know Masters A is only this much slower than Elite A?' I'm sure he was just trying to make me feel a bit better (seemed a very nice guy), but he's got a point. It's time to step back and build up again. 

Fortunately, Pensar Hawk have a Masters B team I should be able to slot straight into.

I have to leave my new team kit in the wardrobe...for now

I have the Metropolitans tomorrow and the Canelands Handicap in Bundaberg next Sunday. Because the 'sponsorship form wasn't lodged with the Cycling Queensland office two weeks prior to the events', I have to wear my plain kit and leave my awesome new one at home.

Pissed me off!

It seems so stupid for the association to be so draconian, when in the end, who is it going to hurt if I wear the new team kit?

So plain black shorts and a plain white jersey it is.

You know what though Cycling Queensland? I've got Pensar Hawk team issue socks! You can't stop me wearing them. How you like them apples!?!

Weight Loss Update

For those of you who have been taking an interest in my return to the sport (or at least faking it!). I am pleased to report that my weight loss situation is now at:

108kg (previous weight) - 91kg (current weight) = 17kg

Pensar Hawk Racing Team

I have been having some conversations recently with David Inglis, who is the manager of the Pensar Hawk Racing Team (link). The team has a very strong elite men's and women's squad and is looking to develop its Masters' ranks. As a result, I have been offered a spot on the team. This is really great news for me. I'm very much looking forward to riding with the new team as they have about a dozen good Masters level riders on the books. My new strip arrived in the mail today and it is very nice:

Race Report: Toowoomba Criterium

For the record, they call it a 'kermesse' but I call it a criterium...

A bit of a frustrating day. Raced the B grade club criterium in a field of 15. The organizers told me at the start that I might have to ride A grade because of a smaller field there and in hindsight I should have jumped at the chance. The race was extremely negative, with most of the riders happy to chase the breaks and then grind to a halt once caught. I had three good attempts at getting away in small groups which did not manage to work. A young guy slipped off the front with a lap or two to go and the bunch looked at me to chase. I didn't, and was actually pleased to see him stay away and win. I got 3rd in the bunch sprint for 4th overall. I was pleased to see the guys who had ridden so negatively come unstuck as their best position was 3rd. Overall, the pace was not really challenging and I think I am going to move up to A grade next time. I had actually done a pretty solid 105km in the morning, which makes the fact that I found this race pace quite soft, even more of a reason to move up. Wish me luck...

Race Report: Tour de Tweed (Battle on the Border)

Stage 1: 7.2 km Individual Time Trial - 41st

It was a 'sight unseen' course for me, which wasn't ideal. I never really settled and on the open road struggled to get the big gear going. I certainly didn't disgrace myself but am a little disappointed with my 10:47 time.

Stage 2: 97 km Road Race - 58th

The first 26 km of this stage I was loving. Great to be in a big bunch (59 starters) and I was really enjoying the flat and undulating parts of the course. Then came the climb... It was actually two climbs. About 1.5 km in 39 x 21 before a small downhill and then about 1.5 km in the 39 x 19. I didn't get up the first one and (most embarrassingly) was the first one dropped! I never regained touch with the bunch and rode the last 70 km on my own, to make sure I could start again tomorrow. I lost over 39 minutes. The crazy thing is, I actually felt pretty good today, but climbing is obviously a problem for me. 

Stage 3: 85 km Road Race - 51st

Today was a much, much better day, but had a mishap that cost me badly. I felt so much better than yesterday and coped on the first climb of about 2 km quite well. The second climb was a bit longer (both the climbs were not as steep as yesterday). A few riders had dropped off before me which instantly made me feel better! I was heading for trouble about 500 m from the top so decided to ease back, ride tempo and catch up on the long descent. This was all working to plan until I overcooked it (big time) on a right hander, lost my back wheel, managed to straighten up, went flying through the bush and ended up stopping myself from tumbling down the side of the bank by using a big grass patch as a safety cushion. By the time I got back on the bunch was gone. I had to finish the stage out but at least this time I was in a small group. We lost just over 15 minutes. This was a real shame because I couldn't believe how much better I was going since the day before. 

Stage 4: 30 min + 2 lap Criterium - DNS

I decided to not start the critierium. It was on a very fast, technical circuit and at only 30 minutes in length, I wasn't confident of going far. I elected to head home and recover for the week ahead.

So the post-mortem of the race tells me that:

• Masters A racing is very competitive.
• I need to work on my climbing.
• I need more specific work on my time trial bike.
• I can be competitive before too long with continued effort. 

2nd!

Did the 65km B grade Toowoomba Club Race at Boodua today. It was a nearly flat 21 km course that was very windy and with a bit of drizzling rain and 25 starters. There was a big split in the cross wind at 15 km (that I missed, daydreaming) where 6 got off the front. I managed to get across to them on my own pretty comfortably. The 7 in the break became 5 before long. I had a go by myself at 21 km to go, hoping for some company, but it didn't come and I didn't have the legs to go solo. We all stayed together until a rider attacked up a hill about 500 m from the finish and he stayed away. I managed to win the gallop for 2nd. I'm overall very happy with today. I felt pretty strong most of the way and when I think that just two short months ago I couldn't even finish a B grade criterium, I have to consider this a big improvement. 

Bikes and Rain = Shit

If you ride a bike with me for longer than 11 seconds you will hear about how much I hate riding in the rain. Heat, cold, wind, I can handle, but rain makes me lose my bananas. Very strange when you consider that I once made the decision to spend a season racing in Belgium, where a fine day means it is only raining a little bit. 

I was caught in the rain on my big Sunday ride, and after a solid hour of cleaning my bike on Monday, I got covered in water and road grime again on Tuesday (it actually never rained on me, but the road was soaked). 

Sometimes a blog is a good place to have a whine, which my friends, is exactly the purpose of this post!

In conclusion, here are the reasons I hate riding in the rain:

• Rain makes your bike all wet and dirty.
• Your clothes get trashed and need ultra washing to get them clean.
• Your shoes and helmet get wet and take ages to dry out.
• Rain makes the wind much colder when it blows through you.
• There is an increased chance of crashing.
• Cars have trouble seeing you in the rain.
• Rain is shit.

Bunya Mountains (WTF?)

Did a 170km ride in a group of five today. We went almost to Kumbia then swung right and headed up the Kingaroy side of the Bunyas, before descending down the Dalby side.

Let me list the reasons why the ride was SHIT:

• We had about two hours of rain which was just enough to completely soak the climb and the descent.
• I only had a 39 x 23 on my bike, which was nowhere near enough (I wasn't strong enough to push the gear in the seat and had the back wheel spinning in the wet when I stood up, so yes I walked a few times).
• One of the guys in our group crashed in the wet on the descent (he was not hurt).

Let me list the reasons why the ride WAS NOT SHIT:

• At 170km, it was the longest ride I have done so far.
• I finished off with a strong effort on my own and I blew myself to pieces by the end.

I'm as sore as anything now, but can feel the endurance building in me, which is great. 

A Solid Club Race

Lined up in the Toowoomba B Grade Criterium today. This was actually my first race for two months which is obviously not good. It was 40 minutes plus 2 laps. I stayed very quiet for the first 25 minutes. A younger rider (who had been very aggressive) was about 10 seconds off the front so I decided to jump across to him by myself. We were away for about 2 laps, when a chase group of 5 joined us. We stayed like that until the finish and I ended up 5th. I had absolutely NOTHING in my legs for the sprint, which I think is a symptom of my lack of racing. Overall though, there was a lot positive to take out of this race. 

Quiet Times...

Not a lot to report of late. I have missed far too many club races because of work commitments, rain and being a bit sick (actually had ten days off the bike a week or two back). I'm on two weeks holiday at the moment so am trying to get quite a few kilometres in. I have a club race (criterium) to do on April 14. I have also entered the Battle on the Border, which is a 4 stage / 3 day tour around Tweed Heads and Murwillumbah on the Labor Day long weekend. It is reportedly very hard going. I really feel like I need some racing though, so it won't hurt me. 

The good news to report is that my weight is down to 95kg, from a starting point of 108kg. This is obviously good news!

Dalby Triathlon

I competed in the Dalby Triathlon last weekend in the Business House Teams (7km ride) and the Mixed Teams (20 km ride) events. It was a really good chance to test out my time trial bike and I am very happy with how I went.

We came 3rd in the Business House event and I did the 7 km ride (rack to rack, so not sure about actual ride time) in 10:55. I was pretty happy with that. I didn't get to see an official time list, but am almost positive that was the fastest bike leg by a whisker.

We won the Mixed Teams event and were actually the third team over the line. I did the 20 km in 33:27 (officially, from transition to transition). That is obviously not a great time for 20km, but it was incredibly windy which knocked everybody's times around. The fastest time in the teams events was a 32:01 (by Wes Keep, local triathlete) and the guy who won the male individual (who I think is a pro, or at least a very elite triathlete) did a 31:59. 

I guess all in all a pretty good day. I now know where I 'am' in terms of my time trialling and as I said, the new time trial bike is very, very nice. 

A good sign?

Yesterday the local club criterium was a combined A and B grade race (45 minutes plus two laps). The field was about 25 with only 4 A graders (two of which happened to be Hayden Brooks and Darren Rolfe). The race broke up early with a group of 10 riding off the front, with little old me in that group. I was stoked, because I was worried about not even being able to stay on the back of this group and here I was off the front in the main split. The sad reality is, I didn't have the legs to stay there and after 25 minutes I exploded (literally; there are still pieces of me all over the circuit). I still feel though, it's a really good sign of things to come. Managed to back it up with a solid 140km training ride the next day as well. 

The new weapon

All ready for the latest instalment of the Toowoomba Criterium:

The races so far

B grade Toowoomba club race on the new Toowoomba Criterium Circuit. Epic fail, completing 22 of the 40 minutes in the group. Found this very fast.

B grade masters at the same circuit, in the Toowoomba 2 day Open. I was in the front group of about 25, but a crash on the second last lap sent me off the track and I didn't get back on. Day 2 was a 35 lap event on a longer version of the circuit. I came 5th. 

Bikes are way better these days

Bikes are just awesome now and so much better value than they were in the 1990s. As mentioned, I'm on a Giant TCR 0 with Di2 electric gears. It retails for $4,000 and I can't believe what a beautiful bike it is for such a reasonable price. 

There are some other differences that are a bit odd. Firstly, why are we all wearing long socks yanked up high like we are going to footy training? Secondly, why do we all have our brake levers so high and pointing up like we we deliver for Australia Post? Why? Huh?

What the hell am I thinking?

I quit racing in 1999. I had just come back from the Tour of South China Sea. I had to retire from that race because of illness. In hindsight, I think I had a nasty Asian stomach bug that needed attention from my doctor (but I was 26 so I didn't get it seen to). I also had some recurrent bouts of bronchitis and...my new career as a teacher was starting to take off. Combine all those reasons, and I thought it was time to hang it up.

In September of 2011, for some unknown reason, I thought I would start riding again. I started on my mountain bike, moved to a road bike (I have a lovely new Giant TCR 0) and now it's February 2012 and I'm training four days a week and have had three races so far. I'm racing in Masters B!

So far, I'm loving it, losing weight, getting fit and wondering what the hell I am doing!